These Designer-Approved Paint Colors Are So Sunny
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While crowd-pleasing favorite paint colors like green and blue have had their time to shine, there’s another certifiably cool shade that’s been on our radar lately: Yellow! From bright and cheerful to soft and creamy, the sunny side of the paint deck has a wealth of colors that look good in every room. Lacking natural light? Go for a bright, lemony hue. Want a quiet shade that has more dimension than a typical white paint color? Pick a happy eggy-cream that won’t overpower.
Choosing yellow paint is also a low-lift way to completely re-energize a space or amp up its personality. It pairs well with rustic furnishings and flea market finds. And, it adds a happy note to any home’s exterior. Basically, it’s one of those perfect chameleon shades. Not convinced? Check out these 25 favorite yellow paint colors (that are also loved by some of our favorite designers!) below and you’ll change your mind!
For more deep dives on our favorite colors:
Cheerful by Sherwin-Williams
Greet guests with a sunny disposition—even when it’s raining! This bright, happy yellow looks especially lively when paired with cool blue-gray siding.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint Color: For similar, Cheerful by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: 50 Beautiful Front Door Colors to Give Your Home an Inviting Entry
Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball
A true mid-tone yellow, this happy hue brings sophistication to this English-inspired kitchen designed by Country Living's Design Director Maribeth Jones and her architect Heather Knowles.
Get the Look:
Wainscoting Paint Color: Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball
TOUR THE ENTIRE KITCHEN
Icy Lemonade by Sherwin-Williams
Yes, yellow can help a room feel relaxed! In a bedroom full of powder blues, this perky shade feels soft and subdued.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: For similar, Icy Lemonade by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Our All-Time Favorite Bedroom Paint Colors
Babouche by Farrow & Ball
Who says laundry rooms have to be boring? Take a cue from designer designer Katie Rosenfeld and pop this happy yellow shade onto trim and built-in cabinetry for an unexpected dose of charm.
Get the Look:
Cabinet Paint Color: Babouche by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: We’re Obsessed with Hometown Star Erin Napier's Wallpaper Collection
Chartreuse by Benjamin Moore
Leave it to designer Max Humphrey to paint his front door in an electrifying shade of yellow that has just the right amount of green.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint Color: Chartreuse by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: You Need to Read Max Humphrey's Best Antiquing Tips Before Your Next Trip
Sherbert Lemon by Farrow & Ball
This mellowed-out, creamy yellow pairs well with rustic finishes. The equally subdued green trim sets off the yellow with a nod to the outdoors and helps ground the room.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: For similar, Sherbert Lemon by Farrow & Ball
Trim Paint Color: Calke Green by Farrow and Ball
RELATED: Our Favorite Colors to Pair with Green
Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams
Look no further than a classic yellowware bowl for proof that blue and yellow make for a timeless country combo, seen here in the 98-square-foot galley kitchen featuring canary-yellow cabinets and quilt-like cement tiles.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Honey Bees by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Here’s How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets, Including Laminate
Golden Retriever by Benjamin Moore
Paired with weathered brick, this Virginia cottage’s cheery front door door gives off golden hour vibes.
Get the Look:
Front Door Paint Color: Golden Retriever by Benjamin Moore
Dorset Gold by Benjamin Moore
If you love the rich look of a mid-range yellow, like designer Cameron Ruppert used in this cheery butler’s pantry, look for a golden yellow that’s just a little bit muddy.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: For similar, Dorset Gold by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Our Kitchen Paint Color Hall of Fame
Neon Light by Behr
The best way to make a bold statement? Go extra bright! In this entryway of the Beekman 1802 farmhouse, the yellow stairwell pops against the darker, more traditional finishes. The dark stair runner helps keep the yellow fun and surprising, not overwhelming.
Get the Look:
Stairs Paint Color: For similar, Neon Light by Behr
RELATED: This New York Farmhouse is the Perfect Mix of Vintage and Modern
Stuart Gold by Benjamin Moore
A deeper, sun-baked shade of yellow adds a touch of sophistication to this lake house bathroom designed by Steve + Filip Design, without compromising the fun feel of the graphic tile.
Get the Look:
Cabinetry Paint Color: Stuart Gold by Benjamin Moore
Floor Tile: Custom Estrella by Granada Tile
RELATED: The Best Bathroom Paint Colors Ever!
Citron by Farrow & Ball
Earthy and timeworn, this warm yellow grounds this airy dining room with ease when paired with equally rustic wood furniture.
Get the Look:
Floor Paint Color: Citron by Farrow & Ball
RELATED: 26 Brilliant Painted Floors Ideas That’ll Add Instant Charm
Safety Yellow by Rust-Oleum
The quickest way to make a black exterior pop is by pairing it with an unexpected shock of color. On his Minnesota boathouse, architect Jeff Murphy picked an ultra bright yellow that pairs well with painted paddles and classic green canoe.
Get the Look:
Window Paint Color: Safety Yellow by Rust-Oleum
TOUR MORE OF THIS LAKE PROPERTY
Sweet as Honey by Behr
Sweet but not overly so, this creamy shade is the perfect backdrop for a bustling, colorful porch. Pair it with washed blues to give a space that been-around-forever feel.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Sweet as Honey by Behr
RELATED: Our 70+ Favorite Ways to Pretty Up Your Porch
Yellow Highlighter by Benjamin Moore
If you need a pop of color, especially in a room full of white, go for a shade with "highlighter" in the name, like stylist Matthew Gleason did in his colorful Connecticut cottage.
Get the Look:
Peg Board Paint Color: Yellow Highlighter by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: The Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
Damask Gold by Benjamin Moore
Take a note from designer Anthony Baratta and add a touch of golden yellow where it’s least expected, like on the trim in this historic dining room!
Get the Look:
Trim Paint Color: Damask Gold by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: This Anthony Baratta-Designed Cabin Will Make You Feel Like Your Back at Summer Camp
Yellow Marigold by Benjamin Moore
Side entries deserve a colorful treatment, too! This orangey-yellow hue hits a happily unexpected sweet spot.
Get the Look:
Door Paint Color: Yellow Marigold by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Growing Hydrangeas
Winter Sunshine by Benjamin Moore
A wonderful non-neutral neutral, this shade is all about sophistication—and just a bit of fun. In this living room, opting for an airy wall color makes the space feel collected, not cluttered.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: For similar, Winter Sunshine by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: Ideas to Make Your Living Room the Coziest Room Ever!
Sweet Pear by Benjamin Moore
For a neutral-minded yellow with a bit of personality, look for shades such as this that have the slightest touch of green.
Get the Look:
Island Paint Color: Sweet Pear by Benjamin Moore
RELATED: The Best Hardworking and Stylish Kitchen Island Ideas
Friendly Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
Upgrade your family’s back door drop spot with a shade that we think absolutely lives up to its name.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: For similar, Friendly Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
Disco Nap by Backdrop
This exterior exudes cheerful charm thanks to the bright sunny yellow that stands out in its shady surround.
Get the Look:
Exterior Paint Color: For similar, Disco Nap by Backdrop
RELATED: The Best Exterior Paint Colors That’ll Give Your Home Inviting Curb Appeal
Sesame by Benjamin Moore
Petite spaces such as this sitting room come to life with a melt-away yellow that brings just enough color but stops short of overpowering.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Sesame by Benjamin Moore
Firefly by Behr
Somewhere between pastel and butter, this soft shade of yellow is a certified Goldilocks paint color—it’s not too bright and not too creamy, and, we think, brings a just right touch of youthful joie de vivre.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Firefly by Behr
Cloud Canyon by Behr
Temper an airy space with a neutral-minded yellow that adds more dimension that any white could like Jolie Sikes-Smith of the Texas design-and-junkin’ sister duo Junk Gypsy.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Canyon Cloud by Behr
Lucent Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
In a small bathroom, like this dreamy space designed by designer Thom Felicia, rely on a lively shade of yellow to open the space.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Lucent Yellow by Sherwin-Williams
RELATED: Our Favorite Paint Colors For Small Bathrooms
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